SENATE, had confirmed the appointment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominees for the board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The confirmation of the five nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, chaired by Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari (APC Niger North) during plenary.
They are George Abang Ekungu from Cross River State as the Secretary of the board; Luqman Muhammed (Edo); Anumba Adaeze (Enugu); Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (Kwara); and Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad from Yobe State as members, respectively.
The Senate had received a request from President Buhari on September 21, 2021, to confirm the appointments of the Secretary and Board members of the EFCC.
The request was contained in a letter, dated September 17, and read during plenary by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan.
Buhari explained that the request for the confirmation of the nominees was in accordance with the provision of Section 2(1) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
In his presentation of the report, chairman of the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Suleiman Kwari, said the nominees while appearing before the panel for screening, gave in-depth responses to questions posed by members on how they would contribute to achieving the Commission’s mandate.
He added that the committee after securitizing their credentials was satisfied that the nominees have the requisite experience, integrity, professional competence and industry to discharge the functions for which they were nominated.
The chairman further disclosed that there was no adverse security report or petitions against any of them.
The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who presided over the plenary, congratulated the new secretary and members of the EFCC board as they commence their new assignments.
Meanwhile, the Senate also passed the Tertiary Hospital Development Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2021 following the consideration of a report by the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC Kwara Central), in his presentation, said the bill seeks to establish the Tertiary Hospitals Development Fund for the rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of tertiary healthcare in Nigeria.
According to the lawmaker, the Fund will provide and maintain infrastructure essential for tertiary healthcare service delivery, health research, staff training and development.
